Friday 2 October 2015 14:11, UK
Ahead of an important round of Premier League fixtures, we take a look at 10 questions that could be answered by the end of the weekend.
Can Palace reach the Champions League places, for a couple hours at least, and reaffirm their credentials as top-six contenders? (Crystal Palace v West Brom, Saturday 12.45pm)
After defeats against Man City and Tottenham, Palace's gritty 1-0 win at Watford was a timely reminder that Alan Pardew's men are not to be underestimated.
It was their fourth win in seven Premier League games, against a side who had won their previous two, and they now face a West Brom side wounded by a bitter defeat on Monday Night Football against Everton.
In a second-half performance so unlike a Tony Pulis side, West Brom squandered their two-goal lead and went away pointless against the Toffees, and following that up with a trip to Selhurst Park would have been down near the bottom of Pulis' wish list.
Can Tim Sherwood's Aston Villa leapfrog Stoke and get out of the relegation zone after a poor start? (Aston Villa v Stoke City, Saturday 3pm)
Villa may have strengthened their squad in the summer with no less than 11 first-team signings, but the loss of both Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph has shown in the first seven games of the season.
They are still without a win in the league since the narrow opening-day victory at Bournemouth, while Stoke got their first three points of the season against the south coast side last Saturday.
A win for Mark Hughes' side puts five points between them and Villa near the bottom of the Premier League, but the hosts have the faint consolation of a winless Sunderland and Newcastle propping up the table. Sherwood's side must start winning quickly, but they have only overcome Stoke once at home in the Premier League in seven attempts.
Can Glenn Murray fill the void left by Callum Wilson at Bournemouth? (Bournemouth v Watford, Saturday 3pm)
Bournemouth were dealt a huge blow by the news Callum Wilson will be out of action for at least six months after he ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the defeat by Stoke.
Eddie Howe's side are also without club record signing Tyrone Mings, while forward Max Gradel, who joined the Cherries from St Etienne for £7m, is another out for six months.
It looks like Glenn Murray, another summer signing, will be handed the task of leading the line at the Vitality Stadium which could force Bournemouth into a change of style.
The former Crystal Palace striker is less mobile than Wilson and it could force Howe's side into being more direct, but given the chance Murray does know how to find the back of the net.
Last season, despite limited game time, Murray scored seven goals for Palace in the top-flight and Bournemouth will be hoping he can rediscover that form against Watford.
Will Newcastle be the perfect opponents for Man City to get back on track? (Man City v Newcastle, Saturday 3pm)
Despite throwing away a two-goal lead, Newcastle came out of their clash with Chelsea with more positives than negatives for the first time this season. But still without a win, it doesn't get easier for Steve McClaren this week at the Etihad, against a Man City side reeling from two straight defeats in the Premier League.
City's midweek win against Borussia Monchengladbach was sizeable, given the pressure put on them by the Germans, and a return to form in the Premier League is imperative.
With city neighbours and leaders Manchester United away at Arsenal, City could be back on top of the pile come Sunday evening with Bournemouth to come at the Etihad in a fortnight's time.
Will Leicester return to form after suffering their first defeat of the season? (Norwich v Leicester, Saturday 3pm)
Leicester were involved in another high-scoring affair last week as they fell to their only defeat so far this term against Arsenal, going down 5-2 despite taking the lead at the King Power Stadium.
They face a Norwich side unbeaten in four games in the Premier League and faring superbly under Alex Neil, themselves looking up to Leicester as an example of what they could achieve in the next 12 months.
For the Foxes, Claudio Ranieri must raise his side to bounce back and continue what remains a fine start to the season, and with Jamie Vardy in the form of his career having scored six in seven games, they have every chance at Carrow Road.
What can Sunderland do to stop the rot against West Ham? (Sunderland v West Ham, Saturday 3pm)
Sunderland's disastrous start to the season continued last weekend at Manchester United, but a home clash with West Ham represents a genuine opportunity to gain their first three points in 2015/16.
After three fine wins, West Ham's momentum was halted against Norwich, scoring late to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw. They will be desperate for a return to winning ways, but Sunderland's need is far greater after picking up just two points from their opening seven games.
Dick Advocaat is under extreme pressure to deliver as the league heads towards the 10-game stage, and getting Jermain Defoe firing against his old club would be the best place to start.
Will John Terry return to the starting line up to shore up Chelsea's defence against Southampton? (Chelsea v Southampton, Saturday Night Football 5.30pm)
Chelsea have conceded 14 goals this season in their seven Premier League games, just one shy of the total goals conceded by the Blues in their first league season under Jose Mourinho (15 in 38 games in 2004-05).
Mourinho's call to leave out captain John Terry against Arsenal a fortnight ago was justified by the 2-0 win, but their defensive frailties once again came to the fore in the 2-2 draw at Newcastle and 2-1 defeat in Porto.
Terry was a key component of Chelsea's solid backline in their title-winning campaign of 2014/15, and this may be the day Mourinho budges to bring the 34-year-old back against a Southampton side who have scored 11 goals in their last three games in all competitions.
Can Everton get a long-awaited derby win against Liverpool? (Everton v Liverpool, Super Sunday 1.30pm)
Everton have won only one of their previous 17 Premier League matches against Liverpool - a 2-0 victory at Goodison Park in October 2010 - while the Toffees have also not tasted success in any of their last nine league meetings with the Reds.
And if Everton do not beat their arch rivals at home on Sunday lunch time, it will be the first time in more than 30 years that they have gone 10 top-flight games without getting the better of Liverpool.
Form should go out of the window for a derby match, but Roberto Martinez will be acutely aware of his side's shortcomings against the red of Merseyside.
Will Man Utd lay down a Premier League marker at the Emirates? (Arsenal v Man Utd, Super Sunday 4pm)
Man Utd moved to the top of the Premier League table for the first time in over two years with victory over Sunderland last Saturday.
However, we will know a lot more about United's title credentials on Sunday when they meet one of their top-four rivals from last season for the first time this campaign, with Louis van Gaal's side taking on Arsenal.
Win at the Emirates, where the Red Devils have not lost in any of their previous four league visits, and United's title challenge must be taken seriously.
Can Erik Lamela continue his recent good form against the Swans? (Swansea v Tottenham, Sunday 4pm)
Tottenham Hotspur forward Erik Lamela turned in a man-of-the-match performance in his side's 4-1 win against Man City last weekend, with the Argentina international finally starting to resemble the player Spurs thought they had bought from Roma two years ago.
In fact, the 23-year-old has had a hand in three goals in his last three Premier League appearances for Mauricio Pochettino's side - one goal, two assists - the same return that he managed in his 14 previous league games for the club. He also put Spurs ahead in Monaco on Thursday, but the visitors had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
The north Londoners will be hoping their club-record signing can carry on that impressive form, and justify his recent call-up to replace Lionel Messi in Argentina's squad, when they play Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
